My Advice for Aspiring Photographers

[Cheryl Jacobs]

Cheryl Jacobs submitted a new resource:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists) - My Advice for Aspiring Photographers

(I originally wrote and posted the following article a few years ago as a regular thread. As we now have a formal place for these articles, I've decided to give it a home here.)

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What Every Aspiring Photographer Should Know

These are my thoughts, nothing more and nothing less.

I get asked all the time, during workshops, in e-mails, in private messages, what words of wisdom I would give to a new and aspiring photographer. Here’s my answer.

- Style is a voice, not...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[VaryaV]

This is great stuff Cheryl. You made some key points that I am struggling with in my own work and hearing another's perspective puts a whole new light on things. Thanks for opening my eyes.

 

[brian d]

Good Stuff!!!

 

[Valerie]

Brilliant.... positively, absolutely, down-right brilliant! I really needed to hear these right now.... thanks!!

 

[Toffle]

Brilliant.... positively, absolutely, down-right brilliant! I really needed to hear these right now.... thanks!!

I'm with Valerie. I needed to hear some of these things right at this very moment, if only to reinforce my own thoughts about how to procede into the world as a "photographer". Thanks, Cheryl.

Cheers,

 

[rusty_tripod]

Well said.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

It’s easier to focus on buying that next piece of equipment than it is to accept that you should be able to create great work with what you’ve got. Until you can use those tools consistently and masterfully, don’t spend another dime.

Wow, Cheryl. That's what I take away from it. And I consider myself far from an aspiring photographer. More a perspiring one.

I have all I need, gearwise, right now. I know, as a G. A. S. aholic, the first step to kicking the problem is admitting one has it. I might fill a focal length gap with a lens next February but I will focus on film, paper and chemistry and bunches of that and perfect what I do with what I do it with.

That is so cool, Cheryl. Thank you for posting that. Makes one re-evaluate one's own photography, regardless of skill level.

 

[EASmithV]

Wow, thanks.

 

[Cheryl Jacobs]

Thanks and you're welcome! I still reread this myself from time to time when I start to get off track.

 

[Paul Armstrong]

Very Nice. Definitely a good time to post this. Thank You

 

[Iain Maclachlan]

Some great advice on meeting the broader challenges of life.

 

[Ann M]

'Do what you do brazenly and unapologetically.' I love this - it's something I particularly need to remember (and not just in my photography...). And I will! Thanks Cheryl! (I should now sign myself 'Ann M, Flower Photographer With Attitude!)

 

[markbarendt]

I just wish I had been willing to listen to advice like this before I started the first time.

 

[Vincent Brady]

You may have said it all and it rings true, but sometimes people just have to make the long journey to arrive at the same truth. I'm probably thinking of myself when I say that.

Cheers
TEX

 

[Kvistgaard]

- It’s easier to focus on buying that next piece of equipment than it is to accept that you should be able to create great work with what you’ve got. Buying stuff is a convenient and expensive distraction. You need a decent camera, a decent lens, and a light meter. Until you can use those tools consistently and masterfully, don’t spend another dime. Spend money on equipment ONLY when you’ve outgrown your current equipment and you’re being limited by it. There are no magic bullets.

Stop! Stop! It hurts!!

(Thanks for posting - this is great motivation!)

 

[Jeremy]

Cheryl, I would suggest adding: "The fastest way to becoming a better photographer is to make photographs."

 

[arigram]

Thank Gods you're not advising us to dye our hair red.

 

[nawagi]

May I add 2 more?

- You have to get along with people.
- Know where to find the answers.

 

[Cheryl Jacobs]

Thanks for the comments, everyone. I'm sure there are many more points to add, and everyone is welcome to contribute.

 

[Kimberly Anderson]

Thank Gods you're not advising us to dye our hair red.

I was ready to take that advice.

 

[paul_c5x4]

I was ready to take that advice.

Some of us, myself included would settle for just the hair

 

[Vonder]

It is very easy to tell someone to "be true to yourself" but for most human beings, that flies out the door when wolves are at the door. The sad truth is that you can only be true to yourself when someone else believes in you. And will pay you.

 

[bighilt]

Brilliant article. I've been doing this for 30 years and you've given me plenty to think about.
Thanks.
Hilton

 

[Cheryl Jacobs]

Kudos to Coeur d'Alene High School for assigning their photography students to write a paragraph on this article. I just found it on their blog site, and it was refreshing to see the responses by 45 high school students.

- CJ

 

[Marc Akemann]

Kudos to Coeur d'Alene High School for assigning their photography students to write a paragraph on this article. I just found it on their blog site, and it was refreshing to see the responses by 45 high school students.
- CJ

Awesome.